In March 2013, the U.N. announced that an estimated 2.5 billion people don’t have access to working toilets, and pledged to halve this number by 2015.

However, for the 4.5 billion people who do have access, it’s a very different story. It’s been estimated that we spend over a year of our lives on the loo. With this in mind, we’ve investigated ten of the best loos with a view.

The London skyline, with its landmark structures and skyscrapers, is one of the most famous in the world. Iconic buildings like the Gherkin and Big Ben rise from the bustling streets, attracting tourists from around the globe. At 306 metres, architect Renzo Piano’s Shard is the tallest building of them all. The 68^th floor of this incredible structure boasts the most exhilarating toilet view in London. Visitors are treated to a breath-taking view of the sprawling metropolis, from a ceiling-to-floor window.

Here’s another loo with an impressive city view. Workers at the Commerzbank tower – the tallest building in Germany – can look out over the rooftops of Frankfurt in this lofty bathroom. The architect of the building clearly had a sense of humour, as the location of the toilet makes it look like users are urinating on the building of Dresdner bank, who were direct competitors when the Commerzbank tower was built. (Commerzbank has since acquired Dresdner, completing the transaction in 2009).

Chinese city Chongquing is home to ‘Foreigner Street’, a theme park devoted to international culture. The park features replica Egyptian pyramids, a smaller copy of Christ the Redeemer, and what is claimed to be the world’s largest public toilet. The sprawling bathroom contains 4 floors, and over 1000 toilets.  If they can take their eyes off the novelty-shaped urinals, the uppermost floor provides guests with a view over the park.

The NamibRand nature reserve is one of the biggest privately-owned nature reserves in Southern Africa. The park is home to a plethora of wildlife, including cheetahs, vultures and jackals. It’s also home to this unusual toilet, which looks out onto a vast, sandy plain.

Kenya’s Meru National Park was made famous by Born Free, the 1960 book and subsequent film about a couple’s efforts to release a lioness into the wild. A luxurious safari lodge, Elsa’s Kopje can be found within the park’s boundaries. Guests are invited to enjoy the facilities, including this incredible bathroom, which comes complete with stunning views over the African plains.

This photo was taken from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The first thing you notice is the stunning view. Look closely, and you’ll see the best loo-with-a-view in Africa – a long-drop toilet provided for visitors to Shira Camp. Situated on Kilimanjaro’s Shira Plateau, this toilet sits at a dizzying 3,847m above sea level.

Alcatraz was notoriously difficult to escape – authorities maintain that throughout the facility’s 29-year history, no prisoner ever successfully broke out. Part of the prison’s success was down to constant surveillance – carried out in part from lofty guard towers. One of the towers was equipped with a toilet, providing a 360° view of the surrounding San Francisco bay.

Going to the toilet on the slopes can often be a chilly and unpleasant experience. However, this stunning Alpine view, found in a mountainside bathroom in the Austrian SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser, makes up for the cold. The SkiWelt is Austria’s largest interconnected skiing region, with 279km of runs, 91 cable cars, and a series of breath-taking bathroom views.

Standard aeroplane toilets rarely feature windows. However, they’re slightly more common in business and first-class cabins. This luxurious loo, complete with faux-wood panelling and a porcelain sink, features on some Emirates flights. Not only does this toilet offer far more space than the cramped cubicle most flyers are used to, it also provides flyers with a sensational view of blue skies and drifting clouds.

Hikers are usually reduced to doing their business in the woods. However, park authorities at Montana’s Glacier National Park have thoughtfully provided this toilet for passing ramblers. With over 1,000,000 acres to explore, this loo-with-a-view could be hard to find. Those who are lucky enough to stumble upon it can use the facilities whilst gazing at the vast Agassiz Glacier.

 This article was written  by Ben Wosskow of LoveHomeSwap.com, a leading home swapping site boasting over 48,000 properties across over 150 countries.

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Few places in the world that are blessed with such spectacular scenery as the North Italian Lakes: olive groves, lush forests and a patchwork of countryside surround clear blue waters and soaring hillsides. Considered by many to be the jewel in the crown, Lake Garda is the largest lake in the country and marks the foothill of the Alps, which lead all the way across the border into Switzerland. Unsurprisingly, the region is great for outdoor pursuits including water sports, sailing, climbing, cycling and walking; check out some of the best spots below, or for more details search for Lake Garda holidays with Inghams.

Lake Garda is a popular water sports destination and families and groups will particularly enjoy days out canyoning in the many pools and streams around the lake. Activities include jumps, slides and abseils down waterfalls, all under supervision from local guides. Depending on how confident you are, there are beginner’s options as well as more advanced routes.

Windsurfing is big news around the northern resort of Riva. Enthusiasts come from all over Europe to experience the early morning winds from the mountains. First-timers may want to wait for the gentler afternoon breeze known as the ‘ora’ and take a lesson or two at their leisure. A more unusual variation is kite-surfing which has seen a surge in popularity recently – the best spots for this are located to the east of the lake around Brenzone and Malcesine.

Back on dry land, there are still a host of activities to try. Lake Garda’s Alpine setting has made it a natural attraction for the mountaineering community, and there are many challenging and varied climbs to crack. The village of Arco in the north is best-known for its limestone crags which offer numerous climbing opportunities, and the cliffs at Marciaga are worth a trip as well. Mountain bikers will love exploring the cycling tracks which surround the lake; head south for easier options among small hills and farmland, or try the western routes Mount Tremalzo for breathtaking views that make the hard work worthwhile.

Walkers will also find a wide choice of beautiful trails. Stroll from town to town, past vineyards and ancient monasteries, or seek out countless lakeside and mountain viewpoints along the shore. The palaces, churches and loggias of Salo make for an interesting culture trail through the town, while the summit of Monte Baldo can be reached by cable car, leaving you to enjoy the vistas as you start the downward hike. Torbole, at the foot of Mount Baldo, is also a picturesque starting point for the casual walker.

Lake Garda has huge appeal for both outdoor enthusiasts and visitors who just want to access the stunning landscape and try their hand at a few activities. With charming lakeside resorts, fine cuisine and local wines to boot, this is a holiday experience which covers all the bases.

Catriona Miller is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys the convenience of package holidays. While many like to get off the beaten track, Catriona prefers to take it easy and pay for the majority of her trips in advance. From soaking up the sun on tropical beaches to exploring hidden villages using organised day trips, she loves getting away from the UK weather!

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In 1940-1950s the natural lake Reschensee (lake Resia) was dammed up by 22 meters for electricity generation. Because of this 70% of the population were forced to emigrate or move away, almost 200 houses and farms were destroyed and people who decided to stay lived in temporary barracks for two years. Bell tower of church of Curon Venosta is everything left above water level.

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